PMQs cancelled after death of Cameron’s son
By politics.co.uk staff
Prime minister’s questions have been cancelled today following the announcement of the death of David Cameron’s six-year-old son.
The Conservative party announced the sudden and tragic death of Mr Cameron’s son Ivan this morning. Ivan was taken to St Mary’s hospital in Paddington after being taken ill overnight. It is not yet clear how he died.
This morning Mr Cameron and his wife Sarah asked to be given time to grieve for their son who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was born.
Instead of the usual half-hour in which the prime minister is held to account by MPs, brief statements of condolence will be read out in the House of Commons.
The prime minister, William Hague the shadow foreign secretary and Vince Cable the Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman will all read statements. Vince Cable is standing in for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in the House of Commons as he is currently on maternity leave following the birth of his third son earlier this week.
“The prime minister’s view is he wanted to consult the opposition party… to agree a sensible way forward which marks the very difficult day it’s going to be for everyone in Westminster,” Downing Street said.
After the statements are read out in the House parliamentary business with be adjourned until 12.30 GMT after which it will resume as normal.